Episode 115 In the direction your heart is drawn to
Episode 115 In the direction your heart is drawn to
Betel summoned her maid before starting the story. Then she ordered to get something to drink.
After a while, the maid brought two cups of cool brewed black tea.
“Just eat it first.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
We lifted our teacups at the same time. It’s been a long time since I’ve had cold black tea, but the unique aroma and flavor were still there.
A total of 10 primary trade items were selected, but black tea leaves from the Kingdom of Sergel were not included here.
I would like to suggest to Cecilia that we import this later.
Vettel put down the teacup first.
I checked the appearance and quickly placed the teacup on the stand.
“I think you were probably always curious. “The reason why I have not welcomed the queen even after two years since I took the throne.”
I said yes and moved my head once.
Well, I was thinking that there might be circumstances that couldn’t be said publicly.
Furthermore, I, who am only a general manager, am the first to ask that?
This is a very disrespectful thing to do.
“What happened yesterday…… “I thought it would be better to tell you this before explaining the unpleasant incident.”
“Yes.”
Vettel narrowed his eyes and had a serious expression on his face. I stared straight at his face.
He explained it to me only after he let out a heavy groan.
“I have one older brother. Originally, the throne was supposed to be inherited by the older brother.”
“Has there been a battle of succession to the throne?”
“Yes. “Since you were born as a prince, you can’t help but be greedy.”
He lightly tapped the armrest of the throne he was sitting on.
“Fortunately, I am more capable than my older brother.”
“I see… ….”
However, if it was a position that could be inherited solely based on ability, there would be no reason to call it a ‘succession battle’.
After listening to his explanation, it was said that the nobles of the kingdom were divided into the 1st prince faction and the 2nd prince faction and there was a severe conflict.
“The reason I was ultimately able to sit on the throne…… “It was thanks to the Hennessy family’s active support for my succession to the throne.”
“Speaking of the Duke of Hennessey…….”
“This is the family that Princess Cordelia, who came to me yesterday, belongs to.”
Betel also informed us that she was the duke’s only daughter.
“Then, by any chance, is Princess McKenna also an only child?”
“Yes.”
Vettel answered briefly.
Because she is an only daughter… …. This would be embarrassing.
In addition, there was another problem.
While the Duke of McKenna had previously shown support for Vettel, the Duke of Hennessy sided with Vettel at a later point.
In other words, the Duke of Hennessy played a decisive role.
“Your Highness. Did you, by any chance, promise compensation in exchange for gaining support from the Hennessey duchy?”
“Yes. Making Princess Cordelia her queen. “This was the condition they asked for.”
“… ….”
Somehow… ….
But if this happens, doesn’t Lewis have virtually no choice but to be excluded from the options?
“Then what request did the Duke of McKenna make?”
“They didn’t ask me for anything.”
After that, there was silence in the office.
No matter how you look at this, isn’t it a situation where Princess Hennessy should be welcomed as her queen?
But the fact that it has been postponed for nearly two years…….
‘So you’re saying that you have feelings for Lewis, right?’
While I was lost in thought, Bethel cupped my forehead with a heavy sigh.
“I am also aware that I am complaining needlessly to the leader. But it’s so frustrating that I feel like I want to hear the leader’s opinion.”
Vettel had a distraught expression on his face.
“Do you still have feelings for Princess McKenna?”
I felt like the story would become sluggish if things continued like this, so I asked bluntly. He hesitated for a moment, but then gave a positive answer.
“If Princess McKenna becomes her queen…….”
“The Hennessy family may withdraw their support for me. If that happens and I end up with my older brother again…….”
After speaking up to that point, Bethel crumpled her face.
Hmm. First of all, it means that he was not able to completely control all the power.
But that doesn’t mean this man will commit a bloody purge…….
I feel like I’m having a headache in many ways.
As a third party, I can see it as well, but the person involved must be in awe.
From noble mtl dot com
“Have you talked to the Duke of Hennessy?”
“I did it once before, but they were tough.”
At this point, I was wondering if there was any advice I could give.
‘Ah. ‘Can you tell me something clearly?’
“Your Highness. First of all, I cannot give you any clever advice to solve your situation. “Of course, you already know this.”
Vettel nodded his head wordlessly.
If that’s the case, it’s actually easier for me to talk about it.
“Do you remember that Princess McKenna asked me to talk to her separately some time ago?”
“Actually, I didn’t show it, but I was paying attention.”
They said it was okay at the time, but…….
I suddenly remembered Lewis’s disappointment because of that.
It would be good to tell you this too.
I faced Vettel again. He was smiling bitterly.
“Then Princess McKenna asked me. “What should I do to win the heart of the man I like?”
“!”
Vettel reacted in surprise, shaking his shoulders.
“And the princess believes that Her Majesty has finished everything. “It looked like I hadn’t heard anything.”
“… ….”
Vettel was silent.
Well, actually, I had a guess.
He probably wanted to keep Louis from knowing about the various secret struggles and power struggles that took place during the battle for succession to the throne. Duke McKenna probably didn’t tell her daughter about that either.
But…… Will it end if we just hide it?
“I think it would be right for you to move in the direction your heart is drawn to. “You are childhood friends with Princess McKenna, and don’t you still have feelings for her even now?”
“But…” ….”
He was about to say something but closed his mouth.
Probably Vettel himself has thought about this many times. But I was constantly worried about the situation around me, so I couldn’t easily take action.
My advice is quite irresponsible.
I know it myself.
But sometimes simplicity can be the path to the right answer.
“Let me say one last thing. “Didn’t Your Majesty say it was okay for Princess McKenna to go and talk to me alone?”
“That’s right.”
“The princess was very disappointed about that.”
“… ….”
Perhaps if he had said this much, he would not hesitate any longer.
“I will go in first, Your Highness.”
“Yes. “Thank you for listening, Director Nedville.”
After greeting him in the royal manner, I left the office.
But why am I even doing this? ….
“I’m not good at living comfortably… ….”
* * *
Even after Luke left, Vettel remained in the office. He was looking back on the past while holding his lower jaw with his thumb.
Especially when he made foolish promises to gain the support of the Duke of Hennessy.
‘I really couldn’t help it at that time… ….’
At the time, Vettel was somewhat behind his older brother Caius. Therefore, to solidify his political position, he needed the support of a prestigious family in the kingdom.
That family was the Duke of Hennessy.
When he promised to take Princess Cordelia Hennessy as his queen, he intended to fulfill it.
Even after sitting on the throne, Bethel’s thoughts did not change. However, it was also true that my feelings for Lewis still remained.
Vettel had to choose.
Will he choose someone he has liked since childhood?
Or will you keep your promise considering your political position?
He decided to choose the latter and slowly erase her feelings of love for Louise. So Vettel treated her Lewis as coldly and bluntly as possible.
He hoped she would think of him as a bad guy and leave.
Louise sometimes looked hurt, and every time Vettel saw that look, her heart ached.
But what is important to the king is not love games.
Only national interests and political standing are important.
Whenever Vettel felt like his heart was about to weaken, he thought that way and harbored venom.
It turned out that the result of his hard eating was that he became a pathetic king who could not have a queen for two years…….
“How can you be this foolish?” ….”
He wasn’t just pathetic, he was also a mean man who only hurt the two women.
Vettel thought about the advice Luke gave him again.
“I told you to go in the direction your heart leads you… ….”
His fondness for Lewis still remained in his heart. Recently, that feeling has even grown in size.
Of course, carrying out the agreement with the Duke of Hennessy is also important.
But, standing at the top of the kingdom, he cannot freely choose the woman he likes…….
“I didn’t become king to hesitate.”
The reason he became king came from the promise he shared with Louise when she was young.
He said that when he becomes king, he will take Louise as her queen.
It was a promise we shared as a joke when we were immature children. But he realized that the feelings he felt back then still continue to this day.
“Okay. “Follow the direction my heart leads me to.”
He now made up his mind to choose someone to be his queen.
The responsibility for it is yours alone.
How can he be called a proper man since he couldn’t even protect the woman he liked in the first place?
Vettel took out his letterhead from his desk drawer. He then immediately wrote a letter to send to the other person, which he then put in an envelope and sealed properly.
He pulled the string and summoned the palace butler.
“You must deliver this letter to the Duke of McKenna right now.”
* * *
Lewis has been under the blanket since he ran away to the palace yesterday.
“Princess! “You’re not having lunch!”
The nanny asked loudly outside the door, but Lewis gave no answer.
Because I didn’t think I would be able to finish the food.
‘Why is Princess Hennessy… ….’
Lewis has not heard a single word from Vettel about the situation. In her eyes, it seemed to her that Vettel had chosen another woman over her.
“Does Vettel really hate me now…? ….”
Louise sniffed her nose.
Even though Vettel treated him coldly, he persevered.
This may be because she has only recently ascended to the throne.
I guess it’s because I haven’t fully adapted to the job yet…….
But as it continued for two years, disappointment continued to pile up in her heart.
‘No. But I still don’t want to give up…….’
At that time, the nanny knocked on her door.
“Princess!”
“… ….”
I didn’t want to show this shameful appearance.
“His Highness Bethel has sent a letter!”
As soon as he heard her say those words, Lewis threw off her blanket and rushed to her door.
“Really? Really?”
“It’s here. “And I’ll bring you something to eat, so please wait a moment.”
Louise checked her letter handed to her by the nanny on the spot.
The moment she finished reading her content, she decided to go to the palace right away.
“Nanny! I’m in a hurry now! “Hurry up and fix your dress and hair first!”
Luckily the nanny quickly returned to her room.
After putting on her dress and finishing fixing her hair, Lewis ran out of her room.
“Miss! Meals… ….”
“Later!”
It looks like there is some good news.
The nanny smiled happily as she looked at the back of Louise, who was like her own daughter.